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Al Jazeera
20 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Al Jazeera
Photos: Myanmar's traditional sport endangered by war and rattan shortage
Mastering control of the ever rising and falling rattan chinlone ball instils patience, a veteran of Myanmar's traditional sport says. 'Once you get into playing the game, you forget everything,' 74-year-old Win Tint says. 'You concentrate only on your touch, and you concentrate only on your style.' Chinlone, Myanmar's national game, traces its roots back centuries. Described as a fusion of sport and art, it is often accompanied by music and typically sees men and women playing in distinct ways. Teams of men form a circle, passing the ball among themselves using stylised movements of their feet, knees and heads in a game of 'keepy-uppy' with a scoring system that remains inscrutable to outsiders. Women, meanwhile, play solo in a fashion reminiscent of circus acts – kicking the ball tens of thousands of times per session while walking tightropes, spinning umbrellas and balancing on chairs placed atop beer bottles. Participation has declined in recent years with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the 2021 military coup and subsequent civil conflict. Poverty is on the rise, and artisans face mounting challenges in sourcing materials to craft the balls. Variants of the hands-free sport, colloquially known as caneball, are played widely across Southeast Asia. In Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, participants use their feet and heads to send the ball over a net in the volleyball-style game 'sepak takraw'. In Laos, it is known as 'kataw' while Filipinos play 'sipa', meaning kick. In China, it is common to see people kicking weighted shuttlecocks in parks. Myanmar's version is believed to date back 1,500 years. Evidence for its longevity is seen in a French archaeologist's discovery of a replica silver chinlone ball at a pagoda built during the Pyu era, which stretched from 200 BC to 900 AD. Originally, the sport was played as a casual pastime, a form of exercise and for royal amusement. In 1953, however, the game was codified with formal rules and a scoring system, part of efforts to define Myanmar's national culture after independence from Britain. 'No one else will preserve Myanmar's traditional heritage unless the Myanmar people do it,' player Min Naing, 42, says. Despite ongoing conflict, players continue to congregate beneath motorway flyovers, around street lamps dimmed by wartime blackouts and on purpose-made chinlone courts – often open-sided metal sheds with concrete floors. 'I worry about this sport disappearing,' master chinlone ball maker Pe Thein says while labouring in a sweltering workshop in Hinthada, 110km (68 miles) northwest of Yangon. 'That's the reason we are passing it on through our handiwork.' Seated cross-legged, men shave cane into strips, curve them with a hand crank and deftly weave them into melon-sized balls with pentagonal holes before boiling them in vats of water to enhance their durability. 'We check our chinlone's quality as if we're checking diamonds or gemstones,' the 64-year-old Pe Thein says. 'As we respect the chinlone, it respects us back.' Each ball takes about two hours to produce and brings business-owner Maung Kaw $2.40. But supplies of the premium rattan he seeks from Rakhine state in western Myanmar are becoming scarce. Fierce fighting between military forces and opposition groups that now control nearly all of the state has made supplies precarious. Farmers are too frightened to venture into the jungle battlegrounds to cut cane, Maung Kaw says, which jeopardises his livelihood.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Ancient Myanmar ball game battles for survival in troubled nation
Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport - a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. 'Once you get into playing the game you forget everything,' says 74-year-old Win Tint. 'You concentrate only on your touch and you concentrate only on your style.' Chinlone is Myanmar's national game and dates back centuries. Branded a blend of sport and art, it is often played to music and is typically practiced differently by men and women. Male teams in skimpy shorts stand in a circle using stylised strokes of their feet, knees and heads to pass the ball in a game of 'keepy-uppy', with a scoring system impenetrable to outsiders. Women play solo like circus performers - kicking the ball tens of thousands of times per session while walking tightropes, twirling umbrellas and perching on chairs balanced atop beer bottles. Teen prodigy Phyu Sin Phyo hones her skills at the court in Yangon, toe-bouncing a burning ball while spinning a hula-hoop - also on fire. 'I play even when I am sick,' says the 16-year-old. 'It is important to be patient to become a good chinlone player.' But play has plunged in recent years, with the Covid-19 pandemic followed by the 2021 military coup and subsequent civil war. Poverty rates are shooting up and craftsmen face increasing problems sourcing materials to make balls. But the rising and falling rhythm of the game offers its practitioners a respite. 'When you hear the sound of kicking the ball it's like music,' Win Tint, vice-chairman of the Myanmar Chinlone Federation, told AFP. 'So when you play chinlone, you feel like dancing.' A man weaving cane into a chinlone ball at a workshop. A man weaves cane into a chinlone ball at a workshop. A man preparing cane to be weaved into a chinlone ball. A man weaving cane into a chinlone ball. Tools used to weave chinlone balls. A man preparing cane to be weaved into a chinlone ball. A man weaving cane into a chinlone ball. A man preparing cane to be weaved into a chinlone ball. 'Play day is happy' Different versions of the hands-free sport known as 'caneball' are widely played across Southeast Asia. In Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia players kick and head the ball over a net in the volleyball-style 'sepak takraw'. In Laos it is known as 'kataw' while Filipinos play 'sipa' - meaning kick. In China, people kicking around weighted shuttlecocks in parks is a common sight. Myanmar's iteration dates back 1,500 years, according to popular belief. Some cite a French archaeologist's discovery of a replica silver chinlone ball at a pagoda built in the Pyu era of 200 BC to 900 AD. It was initially practiced as a casual pastime, a fitness activity and for royal entertainment. But in 1953 the game was given rules and a scoring system, as part of an effort to codify Myanmar's national culture after independence from Britain. 'No one else will preserve Myanmar's traditional heritage unless the Myanmar people do it,' said player Min Naing, 42. Despite the conflict, players still gather under motorway overpasses, around street lamps blighted with wartime blackouts and on dedicated chinlone courts - often ramshackle open-sided metal sheds with concrete floors. 'For a chinlone man, the day he plays is always a happy day. I am happy, and I sleep well at night,' says Min Naing. 'On the days I don't play it, I feel I am missing something.' Mg Kaw, owner of a production workshop for chinlone balls in Hinthada township in the Irrawaddy delta region. Players taking part in a game of the traditional Myanmar sport of chinlone at a court in Yangon. People watching players taking part in a game of the traditional Myanmar sport of chinlone. Players taking part in a game of the traditional Myanmar sport of chinlone outside Thuwanna football stadium in Yangon. Female chinlone player Phyu Sin Phyo practicing for a solo Tapindaing performance during a training session in Yangon. Female chinlone player Phyu Sin Phyo practicing for a solo Tapindaing performance. Female chinlone player Phyu Sin Phyo practicing for a solo Tapindaing performance. 'Respect the chinlone' But Win Tint is concerned that participation rates are falling. 'I worry about this sport disappearing,' says master chinlone ball maker Pe Thein, toiling in a sweltering workshop in Hinthada, 110 kilometers (70 miles) northwest of Yangon. 'That's the reason we are passing it on through our handiwork.' Cross-legged men shave cane into strips, curve them with a hand crank and deftly weave them into a melon-sized ball with pentagonal holes, boiled in a vat of water to seal its strength. 'We check our chinlone's quality as if we're checking diamonds or gemstones,' adds the 64-year-old Pe Thein. 'As we respect the chinlone, it respects us back.' Each ball takes around two hours to make and earns business-owner Maung Kaw $2.40 apiece. But supplies of the best-quality rattan he covets from nearby Rakhine are dwindling. There is fierce fighting in the state between the military and opposition groups that now control almost all of it. Farmers are too fearful to plunge into the jungle battleground to cut cane, says Maung Kaw, endangering his profession. 'It should not be that we have players but no chinlone makers,' says the 72-year-old. 'I want to work as well as I can for as long as I can.' - AFP
Observer
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Observer
Ancient Myanmar ball game battles for survival in troubled nation
Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport -- a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. "Once you get into playing the game you forget everything," says 74-year-old Win Tint. "You concentrate only on your touch and you concentrate only on your style." Chinlone is Myanmar's national game and dates back centuries. Branded a blend of sport and art, it is often played to music and is typically practised differently by men and women. This photo taken on May 8, 2025 show a man weaving cane into a chinlone ball, used in the ancient Myanmar game considered a blend between sport and art, at a workshop in Hinthada township in the Irrawaddy delta region. Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport -- a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. - To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP) / To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY Male teams in skimpy shorts stand in a circle using stylised strokes of their feet, knees and heads to pass the ball in a game of "keepy-uppy", with a scoring system impenetrable to outsiders. Women play solo like circus performers -- kicking the ball tens of thousands of times per session while walking tightropes, twirling umbrellas and perching on chairs balanced atop beer bottles. Teen prodigy Phyu Sin Phyo hones her skills at the court in Yangon, toe-bouncing a burning ball while spinning a hula-hoop -- also on fire. "I play even when I am sick," says the 16-year-old. "It is important to be patient to become a good chinlone player." But play has plunged in recent years, with the Covid-19 pandemic followed by the 2021 military coup and subsequent civil war. Poverty rates are shooting up and craftsmen face increasing problems sourcing materials to make balls. But the rising and falling rhythm of the game offers its practitioners a respite. "When you hear the sound of kicking the ball it's like music," Win Tint, vice-chairman of the Myanmar Chinlone Federation, told AFP. "So when you play chinlone, you feel like dancing." - 'Play day is happy' - Different versions of the hands-free sport known as "caneball" are widely played across Southeast Asia. In Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia players kick and head the ball over a net in the volleyball-style "sepak takraw". In Laos it is known as "kataw" while Filipinos play "sipa" -- meaning kick. In China, people kicking around weighted shuttlecocks in parks is a common sight. Myanmar's iteration dates back 1,500 years, according to popular belief. Some cite a French archaeologist's discovery of a replica silver chinlone ball at a pagoda built in the Pyu era of 200 BC to 900 AD. It was initially practised as a casual pastime, a fitness activity and for royal entertainment. But in 1953 the game was given rules and a scoring system, as part of an effort to codify Myanmar's national culture after independence from Britain. This photo taken on May 13, 2025 shows players taking part in a game of the traditional Myanmar sport of chinlone at a court in Yangon. Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport -- a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. - To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP) / To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY "No one else will preserve Myanmar's traditional heritage unless the Myanmar people do it," said player Min Naing, 42. Despite the conflict, players still gather under motorway overpasses, around street lamps blighted with wartime blackouts and on dedicated chinlone courts -- often ramshackle open-sided metal sheds with concrete floors. "For a chinlone man, the day he plays is always a happy day. I am happy, and I sleep well at night," says Min Naing. "On the days I don't play it, I feel I am missing something." - 'Respect the chinlone' - But Win Tint is concerned that participation rates are falling. "I worry about this sport disappearing," says master chinlone ball maker Pe Thein, toiling in a sweltering workshop in Hinthada, 110 kilometres (70 miles) northwest of Yangon. "That's the reason we are passing it on through our handiwork." Cross-legged men shave cane into strips, curve them with a hand crank and deftly weave them into a melon-sized ball with pentagonal holes, boiled in a vat of water to seal its strength. "We check our chinlone's quality as if we're checking diamonds or gemstones," adds the 64-year-old Pe Thein. "As we respect the chinlone, it respects us back." This photo taken on May 8, 2025 shows Mg Kaw, owner of a production workshop for chinlone balls, used in the ancient Myanmar game considered a blend between sport and art, in Hinthada township in the Irrawaddy delta region. Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport -- a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. - To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP) / To go with 'MYANMAR-SPORT-CULTURE-CONFLICT-CHINLONE,FOCUS' by Lynn MYAT and Hla-Hla HTAY Each ball takes around two hours to make and earns business-owner Maung Kaw $2.40 apiece. But supplies of the best-quality rattan he covets from nearby Rakhine are dwindling. There is fierce fighting in the state between the military and opposition groups that now control almost all of it. Farmers are too fearful to plunge into the jungle battleground to cut cane, says Maung Kaw, endangering his profession. "It should not be that we have players but no chinlone makers," says the 72-year-old. "I want to work as well as I can for as long as I can." —AFP
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
When the going gets rough, Myanmar players keep the ‘chinlone' ball rolling
YANGON, June 3 — Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport – a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. 'Once you get into playing the game you forget everything,' says 74-year-old Win Tint. 'You concentrate only on your touch and you concentrate only on your style.' Chinlone is Myanmar's national game and dates back centuries. Branded a blend of sport and art, it is often played to music, and is typically practised differently by men and women. Male teams in skimpy shorts stand in a circle using stylised strokes of their feet, knees and heads to pass the ball in a game of 'keepy-uppy', with a scoring system impenetrable to outsiders. Women play solo like circus performers – kicking the ball tens of thousands of times per session while walking tightropes, twirling umbrellas and perching on chairs balanced atop beer bottles. Teen prodigy Phyu Sin Phyo hones her skills at the court in Yangon, toe-bouncing a burning ball while spinning a hula-hoop – also on fire. 'I play even when I am sick,' says the 16-year-old. 'It is important to be patient to become a good chinlone player.' But play has plunged in recent years, with the Covid-19 pandemic followed by the 2021 military coup and subsequent civil war. Poverty rates are shooting up and craftsmen face increasing problems sourcing materials to make balls. But the rising and falling rhythm of the game offers its practitioners a respite. 'When you hear the sound of kicking the ball it's like music,' Win Tint, vice-chairman of the Myanmar Chinlone Federation, told AFP. 'So when you play chinlone, you feel like dancing.' 'Play day is happy' Different versions of the hands-free sport known as 'caneball' are widely played across Southeast Asia. In Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia players kick and head the ball over a net in the volleyball-style 'sepak takraw'. In Laos it is known as 'kataw' while Filipinos play 'sipa' – meaning kick. Myanmar's iteration dates back 1,500 years, according to popular belief. Some cite a French archaeologist's discovery of a replica silver chinlone ball at a pagoda built in the Pyu era of 200 BC to 900 AD. It was initially practised as a casual pastime, a fitness activity and for royal entertainment. But in 1953 the game was given rules and a scoring system, as part of an effort to codify Myanmar's national culture after independence from Britain. 'No one else will preserve Myanmar's traditional heritage unless the Myanmar people do it,' said player Min Naing, 42. Despite the conflict, players still gather under motorway overpasses, around street lamps blighted with wartime blackouts and on dedicated chinlone courts -- often ramshackle open-sided metal sheds with concrete floors. 'For a chinlone man, the day he plays is always a happy day. I am happy, and I sleep well at night,' says Min Naing. 'On the days I don't play it, I feel I am missing something.' 'Respect the chinlone' But Win Tint is concerned that participation rates are falling. 'I worry about this sport disappearing,' says master chinlone ball maker Pe Thein, toiling in a sweltering workshop in Hinthada, 110 kilometres (70 miles) northwest of Yangon. 'That's the reason we are passing it on through our handiwork.' Cross-legged men shave cane into strips, curve them with a hand crank and deftly weave them into a melon-sized ball with pentagonal holes, boiled in a vat of water to seal its strength. 'We check our chinlone's quality as if we're checking diamonds or gemstones,' adds the 64-year-old Pe Thein. 'As we respect the chinlone, it respects us back.' Each ball takes around two hours to make and earns business-owner Maung Kaw US$2.40 apiece. But supplies of the best-quality rattan he covets from nearby Rakhine are dwindling. There is fierce fighting in the state between the military and opposition groups that now control almost all of it. Farmers are too fearful to plunge into the jungle battleground to cut cane, says Maung Kaw, endangering his profession. 'It should not be that we have players but no chinlone makers,' says the 72-year-old. 'I want to work as well as I can for as long as I can.' — AFP
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Ancient Myanmar ball game battles for survival in troubled nation
Mastering control of the rising and falling rattan chinlone ball teaches patience, says a veteran of the traditional Myanmar sport — a quality dearly needed in the long-suffering nation. "Once you get into playing the game you forget everything," says 74-year-old Win Tint. "You concentrate only on your touch and you concentrate only on your style." Chinlone is Myanmar's national game and dates back centuries. Branded a blend of sport and art, it is often played to music and is typically practised differently by men and women. Male teams in skimpy shorts stand in a circle using stylized strokes of their feet, knees and heads to pass the ball in a game of "keepy-uppy," with a scoring system impenetrable to outsiders. Women play solo like circus performers — kicking the ball tens of thousands of times per session while walking tightropes, twirling umbrellas and perching on chairs balanced atop beer bottles. Teen prodigy Phyu Sin Phyo hones her skills at the court in Yangon, toe-bouncing a burning ball while spinning a hula-hoop — also on fire. "I play even when I am sick," says the 16-year-old. "It is important to be patient to become a good chinlone player." But play has plunged in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic followed by the 2021 military coup and subsequent civil war. A game of the traditional Myanmar sport of chinlone outside Thuwanna football stadium in Yangon on May 13 | AFP-JIJI Poverty rates are shooting up and craftsmen face increasing problems sourcing materials to make balls. But the rising and falling rhythm of the game offers its practitioners a respite. "When you hear the sound of kicking the ball it's like music," said Win Tint, vice-chairman of the Myanmar Chinlone Federation. "So when you play chinlone, you feel like dancing." 'Play day is happy' Different versions of the hands-free sport known as "caneball" are widely played across Southeast Asia. In Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia players kick and head the ball over a net in the volleyball-style "sepak takraw". In Laos it is known as "kataw" while Filipinos play "sipa" — meaning kick. In China, people kicking around weighted shuttlecocks in parks is a common sight. Myanmar's iteration dates back 1,500 years, according to popular belief. Some cite a French archaeologist's discovery of a replica silver chinlone ball at a pagoda built in the Pyu era of 200 BC to 900 AD. It was initially practised as a casual pastime, a fitness activity and for royal entertainment. But in 1953 the game was given rules and a scoring system, as part of an effort to codify Myanmar's national culture after independence from Britain. "No one else will preserve Myanmar's traditional heritage unless the Myanmar people do it," said player Min Naing, 42. Despite the conflict, players still gather under motorway overpasses, around street lamps blighted with wartime blackouts and on dedicated chinlone courts — often ramshackle open-sided metal sheds with concrete floors. A man prepares cane fibers to be woven into a chinlone ball. | AFP-JIJI "For a chinlone man, the day he plays is always a happy day. I am happy, and I sleep well at night," says Min Naing. "On the days I don't play it, I feel I am missing something." 'Respect the chinlone' But Win Tint is concerned that participation rates are falling. "I worry about this sport disappearing," says master chinlone ball maker Pe Thein, toiling in a sweltering workshop in Hinthada, 110 kilometers (70 miles) northwest of Yangon. "That's the reason we are passing it on through our handiwork." Cross-legged men shave cane into strips, curve them with a hand crank and deftly weave them into a melon-sized ball with pentagonal holes, boiled in a vat of water to seal its strength. "We check our chinlone's quality as if we're checking diamonds or gemstones," adds the 64-year-old Pe Thein. "As we respect the chinlone, it respects us back." Each ball takes around two hours to make and earns business-owner Maung Kaw $2.40 apiece. But supplies of the best-quality rattan he covets from nearby Rakhine are dwindling. There is fierce fighting in the state between the military and opposition groups that now control almost all of it. Farmers are too fearful to plunge into the jungle battleground to cut cane, says Maung Kaw, endangering his profession. "It should not be that we have players but no chinlone makers," says the 72-year-old. "I want to work as well as I can for as long as I can."
